Nikon D4s by Pocket-lint
Being an evolution on the D4 it seems as if the D4S was always going to be a 5 star model. However, does the camera live up to the marketing promises when tested by professional photographers? Well as it happens Pocket-lint have had a practical play with the new model and produced a review. Authored by working photogs it avoids blabbing on about tech specs, and instead keeps to the purpose of a good review by offering a bounty of opinions, all of which are informed.
The Nikon D4S includes all the best of the best components and is aimed at those operating at the top levels of professional photography. However it also fails to include a stand out wow look at me technology feature which hasn’t also appeared in other models and the price is high – unless you are the sort of person who has a trust fund behind you. So, does the D4S earn its keep?
Away from the 5 stars the latest review asks whether we have reached a technological plateau in camera making.
The tech world moves fast so the subtle tweaks in resulting image quality between the D4 and D4S show that, if anything, we’re reaching a maximum point of performance in image sensors. That’s not to play down the results though: this is as good as 16-megapixels on a full-frame sensor get and the D4S is an outstanding camera for its ability to assist you in getting the shot in the first instance.
The Nikon D4s created quite the buzz when it was unveiled, but initial opinions had to be gleamed from careful reading of the marketing materials and technical specs. After being on sale for a few months now comes the time where more considered and user-based reviews are out which is good news for us as it allows camera fans to pass judgement on the model. But it seems like the road tested judgement is all to similar to the opinions expressed at the launch before having seen the model.
Pocket-lint are echoing these earlier opinions. There is a struggle to find fault with the new model, but the reviewer also finds it hard to get enthusiastic about something that has such minor tweaks and it comes across in the review, lots of compliments little passion. It is hard to find praise that is specific to the D4S which couldn’t also be said about the Nikon D4. Their conclusion that the Nikon D4S is “evolutionary rather than revolutionary” is the most appropriate thing to say about this camera. It might not be the overly warm reception that Nikon had hoped for but at least it isn’t insulting either.
What do you think? Have you used one?
